“Good. OK, now that we have that down, I’m going to say something you’re not going to like, but I’m saying it because I love you like a sister,” she stood serious and moved to the side so we were a little away from everyone else, more private. I was nervous at what she had to say as I was pretty sure she was going to say everything I’d been thinking.
“Reed is being a bit of an ass and you need to call him out on it,” she read my thoughts. “I get that he is going through something horrible, and I get his fear, but he’s taking it out on you. That’s not fair, Nolan, and it isn’t healthy. I see you two. You walk around like you’re in a trance. And he’s not there for you, not really.”
I just nodded, my eyes watering a little because I knew it all. “Nolan, he’s got to fix this on his own, get his head on straight and get out of his funk. If he doesn’t, he’s always going to blame you, but only because you’re there. You’re an easy target, and you’re just taking it.”
I sucked in a sharp breath of air because I knew what she was going to say next. “Nolan, he’s going to keep lashing out until you leave. And you might have to. I’m not saying that you can’t find your way back, fix this freaking all-consuming relationship you and Reed have been in for what seems like forever,” she was trying to be humorous to lighten the load she just threw on me. I adored her for it, but she was right. And I was glad she was here to give it to me straight.
“I know,” I whimpered, reaching out to my friend who just gave me the hug she knew I needed.
“God, why can’t Sarah be the one to give you the serious lectures,” Sienna joked, rubbing my hair while we hugged.
I laughed a little and backed up to look at her, rolling my eyes. “Sarah doesn’t do serious matters of the heart. Now, she’ll kick his ass. But psychology? No, that’s not her deal. That’s yours.”
Sienna laughed and nodded. She gave my arm a squeeze and I told her I’d see her at the lock-in after the game.
I walked out to the bleachers to find Sarah. I paid my entry and walked to the front of the bleachers to find where she was sitting and then I felt someone brush up behind me.
“Hey, I got snacks, want some,” it was Calley. She was sipping on a soda and had a tray full of candy and popcorn. Unfuckingbelievable.
I nodded and just gave her a polite smile and led our way up to Sarah. We watched the game and I kept sneaking glances at Calley on the other side of Sarah. I wondered if she thought about what she’d done ever, if she knew I knew? She seemed oblivious, like nothing between her and I had ever changed or ever should, so I was pretty sure she didn’t.
Not able to keep my curiosity at bay, I leaned forward to look at her. “Why’d you come to the game, Calley?” I tried to keep it light and pleasant, but I was really fishing to see if she was here for Reed.
She finished chewing on a licorice and then leaned forward to look back at me. “Tatum has a new boyfriend. Can’t stand being in our apartment lately, he’s over all the time. Thought I’d just come home for the weekend,” she smiled a bit and then leaned back to keep watching the game. She seemed genuine about it, so I let it go for now.
The game was close, and we were losing by two with less than a minute to go. If Reed were in as quarterback, I know everyone would breathe a lot easier right now. But putting this in Kyle’s hands left everything up in the air. We were at our last down and 10 yards out from the end zone. I stood and held my breath, watching Reed watch Kyle. Reed was motioning with him, I could hear him yelling and Kyle released and the ball sailed to the corner of the end zone, about five feet too far.
The entire crowd fell silent. Reed threw his hat and kicked over a table, pushing his hand through his hair and screaming while he turned around to look away from his team. He was pure anguish and helplessness. Everyone knew the numbers. Yuma needed to lose tonight for us to make the play-offs, for Reed to play in a game his senior year that mattered. Everyone in the stadium was heart sick. I looked down and found Buck just motionless, rubbing his chin in disbelief.
I locked my eyes on Reed and fell into despair for an entirely different reason. This was killing him. And he was gone. Those last 10 seconds that ticked off were exactly how long it took him to shut the door on everything. His face was pale and blank. And I was going to feel the brunt of it all. I knew this, and I had only a few minutes to prepare myself for it all. And for what was likely to come after.
I stood to find Sienna in the crowd and when my eyes met hers she gave me a sympathetic smile, just nodding to show she understood and was here for me.